Beverage dispenser including means to	puncture
a pressurized gas cartridge



June 13, 1967 A DE BOER ET AL 3,325,053

BEVERAGE DISPENSER INCLUDING MEANS TO PUNCTURE A PRESSURIZED GASCARTRIDGE Filed June 15, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet l June 13, 1967 A, H. DEBOER ETAL 3,325,053

BEVERAGE DISPENSER INCLUDING MEANS TO PUNCTURE A PRESSURIZED GASCARTRIDGE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 15, 1965 June 13, 1967 A, H. DEBOER ET AL 3,325,053

BEVERAGE DISPENSER INCLUDING MEANS TO PUNCTURE A PRESSURIZED GASCARTRIDGE June 13, 1967 A, H. DE BOER ET AL 3,325,053

BEVERAGE DISPENSER I C UDING MEANS TO PUNCTURE A PRESSURI GAS CARTRIDGEFiled June 15, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 fllllllllulllllllt 7 fi llj,

Patented June 13, 1967 3,325,053 BEVERAGE DISPENSER INCLUDING MEANS TPUNCTURE A PRESSURIZED GAS CARTRIDGE Albert H. de Boer. Creve Coeur,Mo., Robert I. Franklin, Creve Coeur, M0. (601 S. Taylor Ave., St.Louis, Mo. 63110), and Malcolm B. Sturgis, Clayton, M0. (601 S. TaylorAve., St. Louis, Mo. 63110); said De Boer assignor to said Franklin andsaid Sturgis Filed June 15, 1965, Ser. No. 464,163 7 Claims. (Cl. 222-)This invention relates to beverage dispensers for attachment tocontainers of carbonated beverages to be dispensed under a pressurizedgas such as carbon dioxide.

Among the several objects of the invention may be noted the provision ofa beverage dispenser for use with a beverage container having an openingnormally closed by a plug, the dispenser being adapted to pierce theplug as it is mounted on the container and to provide pressurized gas tothe container for driving beverage from it; the provision of such abeverage dispenser attachable under seal with the container for removalof beverage; the provision of such a beverage dispenser capable ofproviding an uninterrupted flow of pressurized gas (such as carbondioxide) to a beverage container over sustained time intervals withoutfreezing of the gas in the gas line; the provision of a beveragedispenser of the class described constructed to accommodate a cartridgeof pressurized gas and incorporating improved means for placing thecartridge in communication with a gas line in the dispenser; theprovision of a dispenser of the class described adapted for connectionto a throwaway or disposable beverage container; and the provision of animproved pressure regulator incorporating safety devices to eliminatebuildup of pressure above a predetermined safe value in such containers.Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part pointedout hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the constructions hereinafterdescribed, the scope of the invention being indicated in the followingclaims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which several of various possibleembodiments of the invention are illustrated,

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a beverage dispenser of the inventionattached to a beverage container;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged ideal longitudinal section, partially broken awaytaken on line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged detail showing a pressure regulator;

FIG. 4 is a right-end view of FIG. 2 with certain parts removed to showa mechanism for moving a gas cartridge;

FIG. 5 is a cross section taken along line 55 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a section taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment of the mechanism for moving a gascartridge;

FIGURE 8 is a detail section illustrating one manner in which thedispenser may be placed in communication with the interior of thecontainer; and

FIG. 9 is a view showing a modification of the structure for effectingcommunication between the dispenser and the container.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout the several views of the drawings.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, a dispenser of the invenitoncomprises a base 1 adapted for attachment to a beverage container 3. Ahollow tube 5 is insertable into the container 3 and communicates via apassage 7 with a manual dispensing valve generally designated 9. Thereis also a gas passage 11 for delivery of gas (such as carbon dioxide)from a cartridge 13 containing the pressurized gas to the container 3. Apressure regulator generally designated 15 communicates with gas passage11 between its ends and is adapted to open and close passage 11 to theflow of gas for maintaining a predetermined pressure differentialbetween the interior of container 3 and the surrounding atmosphere. Whenthe dispenser is mounted on the container 3 and the container ispressurized, a beverage 17 (such as beer) in the container may bedispensed by opening valve 9 to permit flow of the beverage through tube5, passage 7 and valve 9.

More specifically, the container 3 is preferably of the disposable typeand it has a cylindrical wall 19 closed by heads 21 and 23. Head 23 hasa recessed center portion 23A in which is hole 238 normally closed by aresilient sealing plug 25 of rubber, plastic, or the like. The head 23is fastened to the wall 19 by means of a bead or rim 23C formed at theintersection of the end and body of the container. The base 1 of thedispenser is adapted to snap on the rim 23C.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, base 1 is provided with a finger desginated27 shaped to snap over bead 23C to engage the outer surface of tubularportion 19 of container 3, as illustrated at the top of FIG. 2. At theopposite side of base 1 are two spaced feet 29 shown at the bottom ofFIG. 4 which are attached to the main body portion of base 1 by legs 31.Feet 29 are also shaped to snap over the rim 23C for attaching thedispenser to container 3.

Referring to FIG. 2, beverage passage 7 is in a core or block 33attached to base 1 by screws 34. Passage 7 has an inlet end portion 7Ajoined to an outlet end portion 7B by a cross portion 7C. Passage 7 hasa branch 7D extending from portion 7C to the outer surface of block 33.Branch passage 7D is closed by a safety plug 36 adapted to blow out at apredetermined pressure value, thereby preventing excessively highexplosive pressures in container 3.

A faucet is attached to block 33. It has a fluid passage through itcomprising an inlet end 37A communicating with portion 78 of passage 7and an outlet end 37B through which beverage is passed from thedispenser. Valve 9 has a tear-drop shaped end portion 39A positionablebetween passage portions 7B and 37A. The other end portion 39B of valve9 is attached to a push button 41 which moves into and out of a recess43 in faucet 35. A spring 45 in recess 43 reacts from a packing 47against the inner surface of push button 41 for biasing the push buttonto its FIG. 2 position, thereby urging the tear-drop shaped end portion39A of the valve against a seating member 49. This configuration orshape for the end portion 39A of the valve permits even flow ofbeverages (such as beer) without excessive foaming or aerating of theliquid. By depressing push button 41 the valve end portion 39A is movedaway from its seat 49, thereby permitting beverage to flow throughpassage portions 37A and 373 out of the dispenser.

The gas passage 11 has an inlet end portion 11A adapted to receive gasunder pressure and an outlet end portion 113, adapted to be placed incommunication "with container 3. The gas passage is formed in the block33. Portions 7A and 11B of the passages are substantially parallel toeach other as shown in FIGS. 2 and 8 and extend through a plastic boss51 and nose piece 52 on block 33. Boss 51 fits into a hole 53 in base 1.There is a metal sleeve 54 surrounding nose piece 52. Tube 5 is curvedthroughout substantially its entire length and it has one end positionedin passage 7A (FIG. 8) and its other end is positionable adjacent theintersection of wall '19 and end 21 of container 3 (FIG. 2). There is apiercing cutter shape 55 on the inner end of tube 5. This permits thetube 5 to be inserted in container 3 by piercing the plug with cutter 55and then sliding tube 5 through the resulting hole. The sleeve 54 aroundnose 52 follows tube 5 through plug 25 as illustrated in FIG. 8. Sleeve54 is somewhat larger in diameter than tube 5 and when it is in plug 25the surface of the plug grips the periphery of the sleeve, thus sealingthe connection between the sleeve and the plug so that no beverage islost through the hole in the plug.

There is a check valve in passage 11 for preventing beverage 17 incontainer 3 from entering the gas passage from its outlet end 11B. Thischeck designated 57 in FIG. 8 is formed by cutting away the bottom partof passage 11B at its outer end and turning down the resulting thin,flexible lip at the top of the passage to substantially close the end ofthe passage. The flexible lip of check 57 is forced open when the gaspressure in container 3 drops below the value of pressure in passage11B. The valve lip closes to prevent beverage from entering passage 11.

Communication between a conventional CO gas cartridge 13 and inlet end11A of the passage 11 is provided by a perforated fitting 59 (FIG. 7)which has a sharp tapered end 61 adapted to pierce the end of cartridge13 so that the gas in cartridge 13 may flow through the fitting fordelivery to passage 11A. The lower end 13A of cartridge 13 is a softmetal and there is a metalto-metal seal between it and the tapered endof fitting 59. A filter 63 prevents closing of passage 11 by any foreignparticles carried with the compressed gas. A moving seal 64 is providedbetween members 59, 33 and 63. This prevents leakage to atmosphere andpressure-loads the member 59 against cartridge 13.

Referring now to FIG. 3, this shows the block 33 bored to form a hole 65and is counterbored as shown at 67, 69 and 71. Hole 65 intersects theinlet end 11A of the gas supply passage. A regulator structure ismounted within the hole and the counterborcd areas for regulatingpassage of gas from end 11A to end 11B of the gas passage. Thecounter-bore area 69 communicates with end 11B of the gas passage. Afitting 73 threaded in the counterbored opening 67 is sealed to block 33by an O-ring 75. Fitting 73 has a hole 77 through it and a tapered seat79 which flares outwardly from one end of hole 77. A valve 81 is movablein hole 65 into and out of engagement with seat 79 for closing andopening communication between gas passage end portions 11A and 11B.Valve 81 has a stem 83 which loosely slides with clearance in hole 77. Aspring 85 reacts from the bottom of hole 65 against an end of valve 81for biasing the valve against its seat.

There is a flexible diaphragm 87 stretched across counterbored opening71 and sealed against block 33 by a fitting 89 threaded in opening 71.Diaphragm 87 can flex into the counterbored area 69 toward the checkvalve 81 and away from valve 81 and within the annulus of fitting 29. Acover 91 threaded into fitting 89 is adjustable toward and away fromdiaphragm 87. Cover 9] has a port or opening 93 at its center which isaxially aligned with an opening 95 in the center of diaphragm 87. Thereare a plurality of auxiliary ports 94 in cover 91 spaced from port 93for venting fluid from cover 91.

On the inner surface of cover 91 there is an annular abutment orshoulder 97 coaxial with port 93. A bolt 99 has a head 99A on the gaspassage side of diaphragm 87, that is, the left side of diaphragm 87.Shank 99B of bolt 99 projects through hole 95 in diaphragm 87 and itsend is adpated for loose sliding movement within shoulder 97 and theport 93 in cover 91. Adjustable along bolt shank 99B is a nut 101engageable with abutment 97 for holding bolt 99 against further movementto the right as viewed in FIG. 3.

A spring 103 reacts from the left surface of nut 101 against the innerportion of a diaphragm backing plate 105 for biasing the boundary ofhole 95 in diaphragm 87 and bolt head 99A into engagement for sealingthe connection between the bolt head and the diaphragm. Another spring107 reacts from the inner surface of cover 91 against an outer portionof diaphragm backing plate for biasing the backing plate and diaphragm87 to the left as viewed in FIG. 3. When nut 101 is abutting theshoulder 97 and fluid pressure in the counterbore 69 increases, spring107 is compressed by the gas pressure on diaphragm 87 to unseatdiaphragm 87 from bolt head 99A, thereby permitting gas to escape fromthe counterbore area 69 through hole 95, around the bolt and out ports94 in cover 91, thus exhausting gas from the area downstream of valve 81to the atmosphere. This structure comprises a safety valve whichprevents excessive pressure from being built up in container 3 relativeto the atmospheric pressure. Thus by adjusting cap 91 and nut 101, therelief action may be made to occur outside of the regulating pressure.Thus the regulator has means for automatically providing communicationbetween the gas passage and the atmosphere on a second predeterminedpressure differential between the gas passage downstream of theregulator valve and the atmosphere.

When diaphragm 87 flexes to the left under the influence of spring 107as a result of pressure differential in the gas passage end 11B relativeto the atmosphere, bolt head 99A engages stem 83 of valve 81, thusunseating valve 31 so that additional gas under pressure can pass fromend 11A to end 11B of the gas passage, thus replenishing the gas supplyin container 3.

Thus regulator 15 performs two functions. It maintains a given pressurein container 3 relative to the atmosphere and it functions as anautomatic relief or valve to limit the maximum pressure delivered tocontainer 3 relative to the atmospheric pressure. The desired pressuredifferential and relief presures can be obtained by adjustment of cover91 and the nut 101 on bolt 99. A pressure of approximately 14 p.s.i. incontainer 3 has been found satisfactory when beer is being dispensed,and pressures of 50-76 p.s.i. may be required when carbonated softdrinks are being dispensed. Regulator 15 may be used in otherapplications where pressure regulation coupled with limitation ofmaximum pressure is desired.

The gas cartridge 13 is moved toward and held on fitting 59 by a slidingcarrier generally designated 109 in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5. Carrier 109includes a recess or opening 111 for cartridge 13 and it has a door oropening 113 at its front through which the cartridge is inserted andremoved. Cartridge 13 is loaded in carrier 109 by tilting the cartridgeand first inserting its rounded end 138 into the opening 111 and thenswinging the remainder of the cartridge into the carrier through door113. Carrier 109 is movable between a first position where the gascartridge 13 can be loaded into the carrier and a second position (shownin FIG. 2) where the outlet end of cartridge 13 is pierced by thetapered end 61 of fitting 59 for placing the cartridge in communicationwith the gas passage 11. For this purpose (FIG. 5) carrier 109 hasgenerally T-shaped recesses 115 on its back surface which receiveT-shaped rails 117 projecting from the surface of base 1 opposite fromcontainer 3. This connection guides carrier 109 for movement between itstwo positions, thereby accurately directing cartridge end 13A intoengagement with the end 61 of fitting 59.

Carrier 109 is moved between its first and second positions by twin linkmembers 119 which have holes 121 through which studs 123 on carrier 109project. In a similar manner the links 119 are connected to pivots orstuds 125 on one end portion of two generally parallel lever arms 127.Lever arms 127 are in the form of ribs on an L-shaped operating lever130 formed by walls 129 and 131. The wall 131 has a recess 132 whichsnaps onto a ridge 134 on base 1. On the inner surface of arms 127 thereare studs or pivots 133 in recesses 135 in the sides of lock 33. Thewalls 129, 131 and lever arms 127 comprise the lever 130 which pivotsabout stud 133 and re cesses 135. The axis of each pivot 133 isdisplaced from the axis of the pivots 125.

FIGS. 2 and 6 show the carrier 109 at its lower position where cartridge13 is pierced by fitting 59. In order to elevate the carrier 109 toinsert or remove a cartridge 13, the wall 131 of level 130 joining leverarms 127 at the top of the dispenser is disengaged from ridge 134 ofbase 1. The lever 130 is then swung in a clockwise direction about anaxis through the center of pivots 133. Pivots 125 to which links 119 areattached will be swung in a clockwise direction about pivots 133,thereby moving links 119 to the left as viewed in FIG. 6 and up asviewed in FIGS. 2 and 4. This moves the carrier 109 away from fitting 59in core 33, thereby permitting removal of cartridge 13 through door orwindow 113. After a new cartridge 13 has been inserted in carrier 109,lever 130 is swung counterclockwise about pivot 133, thus swinging pivot125 about pivot 133 to move links 119 which in turn forces carrier 109and the cartridge 13 it is carrying toward the fitting 59 for piercingthe cartridge. Reinforcing ribs 136 (FIG. 4) on base I prevent flexingof base 1 when a cartridge is being pierced.

As best seen in FIG. 6, the arrangement of pivots 123, 125 and 133 issuch that when lever 130 is in its closed position as shown in FIG. 6the mechanism is locked due to an ovencenter positioning of pivot 125,that is, the center of pivot 125 has moved past a line passing throughthe centers of pivots 123 and 133.

The mechanism of the dispenser is enclosed by a cover or housing whichcomprises a substantially annular wall 137 having a recess 139 whichreceives ridges 140 and 142 on base 1, thereby fixing the cover onto thebase. Aattached to wall 137 is a front wall 141 through which faucet 35projects. The walls 137 and 141 have openings which accommodate thewalls 131 and 129 of the lever 130. When walls 129 and 131 are in theposition shown in FIG. 1, the front and outer walls of the dispenser aresubstantially smooth. Housing wall 137 is supported on a pedestal 143.

The housing 137, 141 and the hinge parts 127, 129, 131 (as well as otherparts of the dispenser) can be made from plastics such as polyethylene,polypropylene, etc.

Operation of the dispenser is as follows:

The dispenser is shown in connection with a container or can 3containing beverage 17 and having opening 23B closed by the plug 25. Thedispenser is mounted on the container 3 by placing the cutting end 55 oftube 5 against plug 25 and forcing the tube through the plug. Fingers 27of base 1 are placed over head 23C and feet 29 are snapped onto the beadthereby affixing the dispenser to the container. Tube 5 is then fullyreceived within the container with its end 55 at the bottom of thecontainer, and the end of nose 52 is also received in the container 3.The end of wall 131 is then lifted to disengage the ridge 134 from base1 and lever 130 is swung to its position about pivots 133, thus swingingpivots 125 in a clockwise direction (as viewed in FIG. 6) about pivots133, thereby moving links 119 and carrier 109 so that the carrier ismoved away from fitting 59. The walls 131 and 129 forming lever 130 forman openable and closable door. When open the door permits removal of anexpended cartridge 13 and insertion of a new cartridge containingpressurized gas into the carrier through the carrier door 113. Walls 129and 131 constitutin lever 130 are then swung back to the latchedposition shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 6, thus pulling links 119 for movingcarrier 109 and causing cartridge 13 to be pierced by end 61 of fitting59. The cartridge 13 is prevented from drifting back by the overcenterlocking mechanism including links 119 and pivots 123, 125 and 133, andtheir relation relative to each other.

As soon as cartridge 13 is pierced, gas under pressure can flow into thegas passage inlet end 11A. When the gas pressure in container 3 is lessthan the desired value (as determined by the setting of regulator thenvalve 81 of the regulator opens due to flexing of diaphragm 87 to theleft in FIGS. 2 and 3, and gas under pressure flows from passage inletend 11A around valve 81 and into the passage outlet end 11B asillustrated by the arrows in FIG. 3. When the pressure in container 3reaches the desired value relative to atmospheric pressure, diaphragm 87moves to the right to its FIG. 3 unflexed position, thereby disengagingbolt head 99A from stem 83 of valve 81 and permitting spring 85 to biasvalve 81 against its seat 79 for closing the valve. Should check valve81 fail to close for any reason, pressure continues to build up in thecounterbore area immediately downstream of valve 81, thus causingdiaphragm 87 to continue to move to the right under the influence ofthis gas pressure differential until nut 101 strikes abutment 97. Thenany additional increase in gas pressure downstream of valve 81 unseatsdiaphragm 87 from bolt head 99A, thereby permitting discharge of gasfrom the counterbore area 69 through hole in the diaphragm and thenthrough ports 94 in cover 91 to the atmosphere. When the pressuredecreases to the desired pressure in container 3, the diaphragm returnsto its FIG. 3 unflexed position where diaphragm 87 again seats againstbolt head 99A due to the biasing force of spring 103 and gas pressureloading.

With container 3 properly pressurized, beverage 17 may be removed fromthe container by moving push button 41 against spring 45, thus unseatingthe valve end 39A from its seat 49. Due to the pressure in container '3relative to the atmosphere, beverage 17 will pass through tube 5 andbeverage passage 7 to the faucet, and then through passages 37A and 37Band out of the faucet. When push button 41 is released spring 45 returnsit to the FIG. 2 position and valve 39A closes against its seat 49.

If for any reason the regulator fails to prevent buildup of pressures incontainer 3, then explosion of the container is prevented by blow-outplug 36 which is adapted to be blown out of branch passage 7D at apredetermined pressure value beneath the maximum pressure container 3 isconstructed to withstand, thus permitting discharge of beverage 17 frombranch 7D and reduction of pressure in container 3.

A modified form of a carrier for cartridge 13 is illustrated in FIG. 7of the drawings and comprises a threaded nipple 145 having a centralopening 147 for guiding end 13A of cartridge 13 into engagement withfitting 59. The modified carrier is designated 149 and has threads onits lower end cooperating with the threads on nipple 145 for moving thecarrier and thus cartridge 13 toward and away from fitting 59. Carrier149 has a recess 151 which receives cartridge 13, and the cartridge 13is inserted and removed through a window 153. In this modificationneither the lever nor the linkage 119 and carrier 109 are necessary andare omitted. In such event the walls 129 and 131 may be made an integralpart of the walls 137, 141.

Another modification of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 9 of thedrawings where the plug 25 of FIG. 8, which is furnished with container3 for closing the opening 23B, is removed prior to fixing the dispenseron the container. The sealing obtained in the previously describedembodiment by use of plug 25 is now obtained by a separate seal orgrommet 157. Grommet 157 is positioned between base 1 and wall 23 ofcontainer 3 and surrounds opening 23B in wall 23 and opening 53 inbase 1. Seal 157 is tightly pressed against the container and the baseby engagement between the fingers 27 and feet 29 of the base andcontainer bead 23C. A boss or nose 159 projects through a centralopening 161 in seal 157 into container 3. Tube 5 is received in theinlet end 7A of the beverage passage in the manner previously described.However, the outlet end 118 of the gas passage is substantially largerthan the gas passage for the previously described embodiment, such beingpossible due to the total removal of the plug 25 and the fact that nose159 is substantially as large as the openings 23B in the con- I tainer.A suitable flexible check valve, such as shown at 158, is provided inthe outlet end 11B of the gas passage to prevent beverage from flowinginto the regulator. Any other suitable check valve at this point can beused.

One of the advantages of the structure shown in FIG. 9 is that the sizethroughout the gas passage 11 can be maintained substantially constant,thus preventing freezing of the gas at venturis resulting from changesin size of a passage. Such freezing is unlikely even with the structureshown in FIG. 8 unless there is a long uninterrupted period of beveragedispensing which requires flow of greater than normal quantities of gasthrough the passage 11.

The dispensers of the invention can be used with containers of varioussizes, including gallon size containers. The safety features of thedispensers make it particularly suitable for home refrigerator use wherethe need for automatic safety devices are especially important. Beer,carbonated soft drinks and other beverages may be handled by thedispenser with appropriate adjustments being made on the regulator toobtain the pressure in the container required for dispensing thebeverage and for maintaining the desired gas concentration in beveragesthat are carbonated or contain other gases. Container 3 is preferably ofthe type (often called a tin can) which is filled and sealed by a breweror carbonated drink manufacturer and may be discarded by the purchaserwhen emptied. It will be understood, however, that the device may beapplied to a returnable container.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of theinvention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As various changes could be made in the above constructions withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention, it is intended that allmatter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanyingdrawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitingsense.

What is claimed is:

l. A beverage dispenser comprising a member adapted for attachment to abeverage container, a dispensing valve, a tube having an end portionpositionable in the container, a beverage passage connecting the valveand the tube, a gas passage having an end communicating with thecontainer, a check valve closing the gas passage to the flow of fluidfrom the container, receiving means connected with the gas passage forpuncturing a cartridge which contains pressurized gas, a pressureregulator communicating with the gas passage and adapted to open andclose said gas passage to the flow of gas in response to the gaspressure in the container relative to atmospheric pressure, whereby apredetermined pressure differential can be maintained between the gaspressure in the con tainer and atmospheric pressure, a carrier for a gascartridge mounted on said member for movement between a first positionin which a gas cartridge can be loaded into the carrier and a secondposition in which the cartridge is engaged with said receiving means tobe punctured thereby and placed in communication with the gas pas sagemeans for moving the carrier between its first and second positionscomprising a lever arm movable about a pivot at one of its end portions,and link means attached to said carrier and attached to said lever armwhereby movement of said lever arm about said pivot causes movement ofsaid link and said carrier.

2. A dispenser as set forth in claim 1 wherein said regulator comprisesa check valve, means biasing said regulator valve to a closed position,and means for automatically opening said valve in response to a changein said pressure differential resulting from a drop in gas pressure insaid container.

3. A dispenser as set forth in claim 1 wherein said regulator includes anormally closed safety valve adapted to open at a given pressuredifferential caused by a gas pressure in the passage downstream withrespect to the regulator check valve which is high relative toatmospheric pressure, for venting gas from the gas passage to preventexcessively high gas pressure in the container relative to atmosphericpressure.

4. A dispenser as set forth in claim 1 wherein there is a cutting edgeon the end of the tube remote from the beverage passage whereby the tubeis adapted for piercing a plug in a beverage container when attachingthe dispenser to the container.

5. A beverage dispenser comprising a base adapted for attachment to abeverage container, a dispensing valve, a tube having an end portionpositionable in the container, a passage for beverage connecting thevalve and the tube, a gas passage having an end communicating with thecontainer, a check valve closing the gas passage to the flow of beverageinto the passage from the container, a fitting connected with the gaspassage having a tapered end adapted for piercing a cartridge whichcontains pressurized gas for placing the cartridge in communication withthe gas passage, a pressure regulator communicating with the gas passageand having a valve for opening and closing said passage to the flow ofgas in response to the gas pressure in the container relative toatmospheric pressure whereby a predetermined pressure differential canbe maintained between the gas pressure in the container and atmosphericpressure, said regulator having means for automatically providingcommunication between the gas passage and the atmosphere on a secondpredetermined pressure differential between the gas passage downstreamof the regulator valve and the atmosphere, a carrier for a gas cartridgemounted on said base for movement between a first position in which agas cartridge can be loaded into the carrier and a second position inwhich the cartridge is pierced by the tapered end of the fitting forplacing the cartridge in communication with the gas passage, means formoving the carrier between its first and second positions, the beverageand gas passages being in a block, and the carrier moving meanscomprising an arm pivoted on the block and linked to the carrier Wherebymovement of the arm causes movement of the carrier, the arm being linkedto the carrier by a linkage member pivoted to the carrier and pivoted tothe arm adjacent the connection between the arm and the block, and theconnections between the link member, carrier and arm being arranged toprovide an overcenter locking device for holding the parts againstinadvertent movement from a position where the carrier is in its secondposition.

6. A beverage dispenser comprising a member adapted for attachment to abeverage container, a dispensing valve, a passage for providing beverageto the valve, a gas passage having an end positionable in communicationwith the container, receiving means connected to the gas passage forpuncturing a cartridge which contains pressurized gas, a carrier for agas cartridge mounted on said member for movement between a firstposition in which a gas cartridge can be loaded into the carrier and asecond position in which the cartridge is engaged with said receivingmeans to be punctured thereby and placed in communication with the gaspassage, means for moving the carrier between its first and secondpositions comprising a lever arm moved about a pivot at one of its endportions, and link means attached to said carrier and lever arm wherebymovement of said lever arm about said pivot causes movement of the linkand said carrier.

7. A dispenser as set forth in claim wherein the connections between thelink means and the carrier and between the link means and the lever armare arranged to provide an overcenter locking device for holding theparts against inadvertent movement when the carrier is in its secondposition.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 469,112 2/ 1892 Atkinson 222-209X 1,262,077 4/1918 Maurer 222-61 (Other references on following page) 9UNITED STATES PATENTS Manley 222440 Bates 222397 Yirava ZZZ-82 X Thomas137116.5 Vischer.

Harr 222397 X Samel 222464 X Miller 222-82 X Bryant 137505.42 Saitta eta1. 2225 X Wentz et a1 222400.7 X Franck 22289 X Levinson et a1 22282Johnston 222400.7

FOREIGN PATENTS Germany.

Falligant 222 s2 WALTER SOBIN, Primary Examiner.

6. A BEVERAGE DISPENSER COMPRISING A MEMBER ADAPTED FOR ATTACHMENT TO ABEVERAGE CONTAINER, A DISPENSING VALVE, A PASSAGE FOR PROVIDING BEVERAGETO THE VALVE, A GAS PASSAGE HAVING AN END POSITIONABLE IN COMMUNICATIONWITH THE CONTAINER, RECEIVING MEANS CONNECTED TO THE GAS PASSAGE FORPUNCTURING A CARTIDGE WHICH CONTAINS PRESSURIZED GAS, A CARRIER FOR AGAS CARTRIDGE MOUNTED ON SAID MEMBER FOR MOVEMENT BETWEEN A FIRSTPOSITION IN WHICH A GAS CARTRIDGE CAN BE LOADED INTO THE CARRIER AND ASECOND POSITION IN WHICH THE CARTRIDGE IS ENGAGED WITH SAID RECEIVINGMEANS TO BE PUNCTURED THEREBY AND PLACED IN COMMUNICATION WITH THE GASPASSAGE, MEANS FOR MOVING THE CARRIER BETWEEN ITS FIRST AND SECONDPOSITIONS COMPRISING A LEVER ARM MOVED ABOUT A PIVOT AT ONE OF ITS ENDPORTIONS, AND LINK MEANS ATTACHED TO SAID CARRIER AND LEVER ARM WHEREBYMOVEMENT OF SAID LEVER ARM ABOUT SAID PIVOT CAUSES MOVEMENT OF THE LINKAND SAID CARRIER.